Search Results (1,944)

The introduction of emergency remote teaching in university education during the COVID-19 pandemic was not a matter of choice, but an attempt to make education sustainable in times of crisis. However, some research, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, showed that digital inequality caused by the unequal material status of students could have an impact on remote teaching. Also, before the COVID-19 pandemic, some researchers pointed out a new phenomenon, Zoom fatigue, as an accompanying phenomenon of video conferences with potential harm to the physical and mental health of consumers. The aim of this study is to examine the possibility that material status and Zoom fatigue may play the role of a moderator in the attitude of students towards ERT. The sample included 148 students attending education faculties in Serbia. The data obtained were frequencies, percentages, descriptive statistics, χ² test results, t test for independent samples, ANOVA, and linear regression.The results showed that 13% of students find the lack of financial funds for the purchase of an Internet connection with high-speed data flow to be an aggravating circumstance. Moreover, it transpires that Zoom fatigue may play the role of a moderator in students’ attitude towards ERT, particularly concerning the possibility of introducing remote teaching as a permanent form of teaching;in addition, certain aspects of students’ material status, primarily monthly household income, were a significant predictor of Zoom fatigue level on the ZEF scale. Full article

E-commerce is quickly increasing purchasing behavior across the globe, but little is known about how psychological paradigms underscore online buying intentions for locally essential items as nomadic local foods. The primary goal of this research is to examine the effects of some important psychological constructs and motivational values on predicting consumers’ intention to purchase nomadic and local foods via online e-commerce platforms, such as Ashayershop. This study followed the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and looked at direct and mediated effects of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms on intention to purchase. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted, based on data collected from a representative sample of consumers who were familiar with online shopping for local foods. The results highlight that attitude towards online shopping for local foods was the strongest direct predictor of intention to purchase (β = 0.383, T = 9.487, p < 0.001). Perceived behavioral control (β = 0.220, T = 5.316, p < 0.001), hedonic value (β = 0.213, T = 4.907, p < 0.001), utilitarian value (β = 0.187, T = 3.719, p < 0.001), and subjective norms (β = 0.149, T = 3.493, p < 0.001), received a significant positive effect on intention. In addition, hedonic and utilitarian values bountifully mediated the relation between psychological antecedents (attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms) and purchase intention. For instance, attitude indirect effect via hedonic value was β = 0.080 (T = 3.783, p < 0.01), and indirect effect via utilitarian value was β = 0.040 (T = 3.058, p < 0.01), indicating the importance of these values as mediators. This research makes a contribution to the literature by showing that motivational values serve as not only an outcome but also as cognitive–affective mediators in the behavioral process thus expanding the TPB in the context of digital food markets. In general, these results provide valuable insights to e-commerce platforms and policymakers who desire to promote consumer engagement with products stemming from culture and tradition on line by developing new integrated strategies that address the cognitive, emotional, and social components. Full article

Traditional food products (TFPs) hold a significant place in the cultural and gastronomic identity of Vojvodina, and consumer interest in these products is continuously growing, positioning them among the most relevant research topics in the fields of hospitality and consumer behavior. The aim of this study was to examine how consumers’ socio-demographic characteristics influence their attitudes and perception of the quality and attributes of TFPs on hospitality and tourism market. The research was conducted on a sample of 507 adult respondents from the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests (Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis) and ordinal logistic regression. The results indicate that age, gender, education level and place of residence significantly affect attitudes toward the quality, price, availability, and advantages of TFPs compared to industrial or imported products. Respondents from rural areas, those with lower education levels and lower incomes, show a greater tendency to consume traditional products. The main barriers to consumption were identified as high prices and insufficient information. The regression results showed that gender and place of residence were significant predictors of consumers’ tendency to choose dishes prepared with TFPs in hospitality establishments. The study highlights the need for tailored marketing and educational strategies to improve the accessibility, diversity, and visibility of TFPs on the market, with particular attention to their integration into the hospitality sector. However, the study is limited to the region of Vojvodina and relies on self-reported data, which may introduce response bias. Future research could explore comparative analyses across different regions or include qualitative insights into consumer motivations. Full article

Interest in consumer behavior regarding agri-food products is growing, particularly in the context of sustainable and local consumption. This study examines consumer perceptions of certified mountain products in Romania, with a specific focus on cow’s milk. A structured survey was conducted among 576 respondents from the Bucharest–Ilfov metropolitan area, representing the target population of regular food consumers. The data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistical methods in SPSS, including chi-square tests and contingency coefficients, to evaluate consumer awareness, attitudes, and their willingness to pay. The results reveal that although awareness of the “mountain product” label is high (88.9%), its direct influence on purchase decisions remains limited, with price, brand, and origin playing stronger roles. Nevertheless, 95% of respondents expressed willingness to pay a premium price, and over 70% associated mountain certification with health benefits and higher quality. These findings highlight both the potential and current limitations of certification as a market-based tool to support sustainable consumption and the economic resilience of mountain areas. The study contributes empirical evidence from a less explored national context. It offers insights for policymakers, producers, and retailers seeking to strengthen short food supply chains and consumer trust in certified labels. Full article

Against the backdrop of the rapid proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs), gender-oriented behavioral mechanisms remain underexplored, particularly the unique pathways of female users in usage experience, value assessment, and purchase decision-making. This study constructs an integrated framework based on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) model, leveraging social media big data to analyze in depth how gender differences influence EV users’ purchase intentions. By integrating natural language processing techniques, grounded theory coding, and structural equation modeling (SEM), this study models and analyzes 272,083 pieces of user-generated content (UGC) from Chinese social media platforms, identifying key functional and emotional factors shaping female users’ perceptions and attitudes. The results reveal that esthetic value, safety, and intelligent features more strongly drive emotional responses among female users’ decisions through functional cognition, with gender significantly moderating the pathways from perceived attributes to emotional resonance and cognitive evaluation. This study further confirms the dual mediating roles of functional cognition and emotional experience and identifies a masking (suppression) effect for the ‘intelligent perception’ variable. Methodologically, it develops a novel hybrid paradigm that integrates data-driven semantic mining with psychological behavioral modeling, enhancing the ecological validity of consumer behavior research. Practically, the findings provide empirical support for gender-sensitive EV product design, personalized marketing strategies, and community-based service innovations, while also discussing research limitations and proposing future directions for cross-cultural validation and multimodal analysis. Full article

The contribution of meal kits to the waste problem has become a significant concern, leading consumers to demand sustainable practices from meal-kit companies. This study proposes a framework to understand customer behavior toward sustainable meal-kit brands that promote practices such as recycling and waste reduction. This study applies warm glow theory to investigate how pure and impure altruism affect consumers’ perceptions of a meal-kit brand’s sustainability, perceived price fairness, and continuance intention. The findings confirmed that meal-kit brands’ sustainable practices significantly enhanced consumers’ perceptions of brand sustainability, which in turn influenced their perceived price fairness and continuance intention. Furthermore, warm glow and altruistic values were found to significantly moderate the relationship between consumers’ perceptions of brand sustainability and their continuance intention. However, no significant moderating effects were observed between consumers’ perceptions of brand sustainability and perceived price fairness. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying consumer attitudes and behaviors toward meal-kit brands’ sustainability efforts. Full article

In response to the rising demand for sustainable transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly regarded as viable alternatives to conventional vehicles. This study investigates the intention of Malaysian consumers to choose EVs as their preferred mode of transportation. Consumption values were conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct comprising functional value, symbolic value, emotional value, novelty value, and conditional value. This study examines the relationships between these consumption values, consumer attitudes, and intention to purchase EVs. In addition, this study also examines the mediating role of attitude and the moderating role of infrastructure readiness. Data were gathered using a proportionate stratified sampling method from 264 respondents in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Of the twelve (12) hypotheses tested, four (4) were supported. The analysis indicates positive relationship between attitude and emotional value with consumers’ intention to purchase EVs. Consumers’ attitudes mediate the relationship between functional value, emotional value, and intention to purchase EVs. Infrastructure readiness does not moderate the relationship between consumers’ attitudes towards EVs and their purchase intentions. This study enhances the existing knowledge of consumers’ multifaceted value views about EVs and offers practical guidance for marketers and serves as a reference for policymakers to improve the marketability of EVs. Full article

Calf disbudding is a routine practice in the dairy industry to prevent horn growth and reduce the risk of injury to animals and handlers. However, growing public concern about animal welfare has raised questions about the acceptability of common disbudding methods. This study explored public perceptions of caustic paste and hot-iron disbudding using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative survey analyses captured measurable trends while iterative qualitative analysis explored the underlying reasons behind participant’s attitudes. A convenience sample with a total of 511 Texas resident participants completed a 44-item online survey that included demographic questions, the Animal Attitude Scale (AAS-10), and image-based evaluations of the two techniques. Quantitative analysis using factor analysis and multiple regression revealed that concern for animal welfare and justification for animal use were the most significant predictors (p < 0.001) of method acceptability, with caustic paste generally viewed as more humane. Qualitative responses reinforced these results, identifying themes of animal suffering, ethical concerns, and a widespread lack of public knowledge. While caustic paste was preferred, skepticism toward hot-iron disbudding was more pronounced among low-income participants. Nonetheless, when properly performed with pain control, hot-iron disbudding is often considered a more controlled and welfare-conscious method due to faster healing times and reduced risk of injury to other animals from paste exposure. These findings underscore the need for consumer education and transparent communication from the dairy industry. Full article

Meat consumption, a key factor in both environmental sustainability and public health, is strongly influenced by educational characteristics, with higher levels of education often associated with more sustainable dietary patterns. However, research examining the mechanisms through which education influences meat-related behaviours remains limited. This study investigates the mediating role of climate literacy in the relationship between educational characteristics and meat consumption patterns among adults and school-enrolled youth in Slovenia. We used survey data from a sample of 2990 individuals (aged 14–88) to examine how educational stage, track, and level impact meat consumption and reduction. Our focus was on climate literacy as a multidimensional construct, comprising climate knowledge, attitudes, and pro-environmental behaviour. The findings indicate that young people in the tertiary educational track tend to eat less meat, have already reduced their meat consumption in the past, and intend to further reduce it in the future, compared to secondary track students, with climate attitudes playing a mediating role in all three cases. For adults, a tertiary educational level, relative to a secondary level, was linked to lower meat consumption, an association largely explained by more positive climate attitudes. By contrast, adults with only primary education consume meat more often and are less inclined to cut back in the future. Among secondary school students, both vocational and general school groups reported greater past and intended meat reductions than their peers in professional schools. The findings underscore the importance of integrating climate literacy, especially fostering pro-climate attitudes, into educational programmes to promote sustainable dietary choices. Full article

The current study explores the factors influencing Taiwanese consumers’ Electric Vehicle (EV) purchase intentions. An integrated study framework, combining the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), was employed to provide a holistic understanding of pro-environmental behavior, addressing the limitations of each theory when used independently. A total of 421 responses were examined using a two-phase Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methodology. SEM identified significant associations, while ANN ranked the relative impact of predictors. The results showed that attitude, perceived behavioral control, and personal norms were positively linked to purchase intention. Problem awareness significantly affected personal norms, attitude, and ascription of responsibility. Sensitivity analysis revealed that ascription of responsibility was the foremost predictor of personal norms, and personal norms had the most substantial impact on attitude. The ANN results largely supported the SEM findings, demonstrating high prediction accuracy (RMSE 0.115–0.122). The study’s originality lies in its hybrid SEM-ANN approach to synthesizing NAM and TPB, providing a nuanced understanding of consumer EV adoption intentions. The findings highlight the need for public awareness campaigns, fostering personal responsibility, and reinforcing positive attitudes toward EVs to promote sustainable mobility. The empirical findings not only enrich the theoretical understanding of how altruistic and rational considerations converge to predict pro-environmental technological adoption but also offer clear targets for policymakers and marketers to influence consumer decision-making. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing global population and rising demand for protein-rich foods present significant challenges for the agri-food system. Cultivated meat, produced through cellular agriculture, is emerging as a promising alternative to traditional livestock farming, offering potential environmental and ethical benefits. However, its adoption remains controversial due to concerns about sustainability, safety, and cultural acceptance. This study investigates Italian consumers’ perceptions, knowledge, and willingness to purchase cultivated meat, considering psychological, demographic, and social factors. Methods: A structured online survey was conducted involving 437 Italian meat consumers, integrating established psychometric scales to assess key attitudes. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify determinants of consumer acceptance. Results: Findings reveal that while awareness of cultivated meat is relatively high (81.92%), willingness to purchase it is low, at just 35.47%. The main motivations for interest are environmental sustainability (54.61%) and innovation appeal (25.00%), while the primary barriers are health concerns (31.58%) and doubts about production processes (34.59%). The results also show that food neophobia, environmental awareness, and inclination toward food innovation significantly influence purchasing decisions. Additionally, demographic factors, such as age, gender, income, and household size, play a crucial role. Conclusions: This study provides insights into consumer behavior toward food innovations, informing policymakers and industry stakeholders on strategies to enhance acceptance and promote sustainable food alternatives. Full article

The current article examines how Latvian consumers perceive the sustainability of rural tourism services and locally produced food, with particular attention paid to their views on misleading environmental claims. For small-scale agricultural producers and rural tourism providers, sustainability communication has become common, yet formal regulation and consumer clarity issues often remain uncertain. The study is based on a mixed-methods approach that contains a comprehensive, multi-dimensional literature analysis and quantitative nation-wide survey data analysis (SPSS 27) with a thematic interpretation of consumer attitudes towards sustainability, trust, and greenwashing. The research findings show that while consumers generally support sustainable and ethically produced goods and services, their trust depends heavily on the transparency and credibility of the information provided. Official certifications and clear communication were seen as trustworthy, while vague promotional claims, especially in digital media, were often met with scepticism. The study also reveals how different factors such as education level, income, and place of residence influence the ability to recognize potential greenwashing. Given the growing global concern about false environmental claims, this article provides valuable insights not only for Latvia but also for other countries facing similar challenges in promoting sustainable rural development while preserving consumer trust in the green economy. Full article

Honey has a long cultural tradition in Italy, valued for its sensory properties and health benefits. However, in recent years, the beekeeping sector has faced various challenges due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic pressures. Therefore, growing consumer awareness of sustainability, traceability, and ethical aspects is influencing food choices and putting niche-market products, such as honey, in the spotlight. This research analysed data from an online survey of Italian consumers to examine their attitudes toward honey. The analysis focused on the primary drivers of consumer behaviour, the state of sustainability efforts, and the importance of certifications and traceability in influencing preferences. The results showed that, beyond taste and health considerations, Italian consumers expressed a strong sensitivity and awareness of the beekeeping sector’s needs and their high engagement in ethical issues, food quality, safety and certification standards, and environmental protection. These findings provide useful insights for producers and policymakers to promote sustainable beekeeping and enhance consumer trust by implementing targeted communication strategies and certification schemes. Full article

Research has often overlooked examination of circular consumption practices from the consumer’s perspective by primarily focusing on specific consumption activities, hindering researchers from obtaining comprehensive insights into consumers’ upstream and downstream roles. Addressing this gap would highlight their role as simultaneous product users and resource suppliers. The framework draws from the concepts of the circular economy, attitude–behavior–context theory, and practice theory to develop a model that explores circular consumption behavior based on 8R-strategies for addressing and reducing product demand and disposal. These strategies comprise refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, repurpose, and recycle. The proposed model was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from 528 consumers. The results show that the antecedents positively impacted circular consumption behavior, with environmental concern and consumer social responsibility acting as partial mediators. Habits moderated the relationship between these variables, though they showed insignificant moderation between circular economy knowledge and circular consumption behavior. The findings underscore the importance of consumers’ role as both product users and resource suppliers in circular consumption practices. Full article

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how perceptions of digital health transformation play a role in Saudi Arabia’s customer engagement in healthcare, according to Vision 2030. Saudi Vision 2030, a national reform agenda, has prioritized healthcare digitalization to enhance efficiency, access, and patient-centered care. In particular, the research attempts to explore the attitude of the patient and whether cultural values and infrastructure issues play a mediator role in the perception–engagement relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a mixed-method approach, with qualitative interviews from providers and consumers, along with survey responses from 402 users of digital health. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine hypothesized relationships and moderation effects. Findings: Findings establish that digital health perceptions are a crucial driver in enhancing engagement (β = 0.386; p < 0.001). Perceived ease of use (β = 0.368) and usefulness (β = 0.530) exhibited strong positive influences. Moderation analysis revealed that cultural values (β = 0.343) and infrastructure (β = 0.253) further enhance engagement. The findings highlight usability, usefulness, and context as foundational enablers of long-term patient engagement. Originality/value: By combining Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) variables and applying cultural and infrastructural moderators, this research provides new empirical evidence of Saudi Arabian digital health adoption. It provides policy and practical advice in the creation of accessible, culturally appropriate, and adequately supported digital health solutions toward Vision 2030. It also supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by further promoting sustainable healthcare transformation in a global development agenda. Full article